Machine for forming paperboard container bottom closure

ABSTRACT

A continuous motion container-fabricating machine for forming a paperboard container bottom closure. The machine comprises a support means, a rotary turret provided with a plurality of working stations with a vertically reciprocable container carrier means at each station, a container bottom heater means including floating heater carrier plate and adjustable heater heads on the carrier plate, a bottom closure folding and tucking means including a pair of rotating breaker fingers mounted on the same shaft and operatively associated with a pair of water-cooled guide rails, and a floating pressure rail means operating with a pressure arm sealing assembly.

United States Patent X11 2 4// 33 M99 3 9 m m r m N H "I N we .t n u Q Wn n Y 00 e umb ee r ll v r n BEE w w 4 999 N w nnfl me 789 1m 3 m] 896 552 y W 284 m 996 m0 nn 333 PA n. m m 910 67C n 99 w 11 n m nm Sm m ou ux RFSJAE r. de m mm c mwmm m fla l AFPA n HUN 7 2247 l llll.

Detroit, Mich.

paperboard container b The machine comprises a support means, a re ARD [54] MACHINE FOR FORMING PAPERBO CONTAINER BOTTOM CLOSURE vided with a plurality of working stations with a vertically reciprocable container carrier m muw o "..Dr. CT .1 a

a wm. nfima .wmm g ME -n tin-1 S e iu mm "a am 0 a h n.m a Om US tainer bottom heater means incl plate and adjustable heater head tom closure folding and tuckin 8 mm. .m Nu m m m D m" 1 u 3 m M m me UhF H m UUU.

a mam W o ,m m m 3mm mm P mu e mwn mm eo hen mam mm w w m m wn a mPm ma e u 2. a m m W kmw aiam WCTC bm l a mcagg 'wmm m d V0 mfiflw 4 m 9 Qfllrkl Sm Mm Tm w .HPI. C 3 mm n A m mTm .NSO QDM m 5 6 Um I 9 9 4 1 m I 3 PATENTEU M831 l97l SHEET 02 0F 18 INVENTOR fiOfifAT J 141, A f/V MAI-160M,

ATTOR NEY PATENTED was] l9?! 3,602,106

sum 03 0F 18 FIG. 3

IN'VENTOR POBZAT J'AZZZ/ WAZ 16m ATTORNEY PATENTEMusansn 3,602.106

sum [NUF18 [Eli fiaaaer J Allf TORNEY PATENTED was] l9?! (602,106

SMET 05 HF 18 ATTORNEY PATENIEU A1183] 19?:

sum 05 [1F 1 INVENTOR ImOBEfiTJAlZf/V ATTORNEY PATENTEU A1183] is]:

SHEET 07 0F 18 FIG. '7

INVENTOR R081}?? J Alli/V ATTORNEY sum as or 18 PATENTED M1631 nan INVEN'TOR ROBERT J Alli/V ATTORNEY PATENTED M1831 I971 sum 11 HF 18 ATTORNEY PATENTED M63] 19?:

SHEET 12 [1F 18 F'IG.I4

WA! 160m ATTORNEY mmm ATENTED M831 lm.

sum 1n OF 18 lll INVENTOR WOBJWT J. $1115 [/V' ATTORNEY WENTEU M631 |97| SHEET 1% HF W ATTORNEY PATENTED M831 l9?! SHEET 17 0F 18 FIG.27

INVENTOR ROBART 7 A14 [/v ATTORNEY PATENTED was] .97.

SHEET 18 0F '18 F'IG.29

F'IG.2.8

FIG.3I

INVENTOR R0849?? J Alli/V ATTORNEY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to container-fabricating machines, and more particularly to a novel and improved continuous motion-type machine for forming paperboard container bottom closures.

Continuous motion-type machines for forming paperboard container bottom closures are known. However, the prior art machines have many disadvantages. For example, some of these machines incorporate a bottom closure heating system that includes a one-piece annular heater head metal carrier plate which is fixed to a rotating member, but which buckles during use due to the expansion and contraction of the metal, and which requires seals and packings to make them work. Another disadvantage inherent in the prior art machines is that they use a large number of springs in their pressure pads in order to generate a sufficient sealing force in conjunction with a fixed pressure rail. The use of a large number of springs in a pressure pad requires much machining, increases the number of the springs required, and it makes for a bulky machine. The prior art machines also require complicated apparatuses for moving the container carriers upwardly and downwardly. The prior art heater heads are fixed on the carrier plate and they are not adjustable.

In view of the foregoing, it is an important object of the present invention to provide. a novel and improved continuous motion-type machine for forming paperboard container bottom closures which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art container-bottom-forming machines.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved continuous motion-type machine for forming paperboard container bottom closures which incorporates a floating type heater head carrier plate construction. The carrier plate or top plate of theheater plenum is made in a plurality of portions which are allowed to float to compensate for heat growth and alignment with the heater plenum. The floating function is provided by expansion joints which permit the carrier plate portions to expand and contract during heating operations. This floating function prevents buckling of the carrier plate portions and reduces heat loss.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved folding and tucking apparatus for a continuous motion-type bottom-forming machine, and which comprises a pair of rotating breaker fingers or blades which rotate on a horizontal axis and in a vertical plane substantially aligned with the centerline of the path of travel of a container blank through the forming operation. The breaker fingers are independently and infinitely adjustable about said horizontal axis. Two water-cooled guide rails are disposed on opposite sides of the rotating breaker fingers for folding and tucking the bottom closure panels. The breaker fingers are power operated and manual control means is also provided.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved floating pressure rail for use on a continuous motion-type container-bottom-forming machine and which eliminates the need for a large number of springs in the pressure pad itself. The floating pressure rail is provided with a plurality of springs, and the pressure rail is at all times engaging three working stations. The pressure rail has two parts that are pivoted together in the center of the rail.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved adjustable heater head for use on a heater head floating carrier plate, and wherein no seals or packings are required, and which provides for added turbulence in the flow of hot air to provide better overall heat distribution.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved linkage cam structure for moving container carriers upwardly and downwardly and which includes a movable cam heat retract portion for lifting the carrier assemblies away from the heating system when required for'idling, setup, changeover or emergency purposes.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is an enlarged, horizontal diagrammatic view of the I structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken along the line 4-4 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows, and detailing various substructures of the bottom'forming machine.

FIG. 5 is a vertical, section view through the bottom forming turret, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bottom-forming turret, with parts removed, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, broken, elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5, taken along the line 7-7 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 7, taken along the line 8-8 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a developed view of the container carrier cam track shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational, section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the lines 10-10 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the line 11- 1 1 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4, taken along the line 12- 12 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 12, taken along the line 13-13 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, horizontal section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5, taken along the line 14-14 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 14, taken along the line 15-15 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 14, taken along the line 16-16 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the outer face of a container blank.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a flat collapsed side seamed container blank in the form in which it is fed to the bottom-forming machine of FIG. 1, for a bottom-forming operation.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view showing the bottom closure elements of the container blank of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, partial horizontal view, with parts broken away, of the bottom-heating structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of the heater structure illustrated in FIG. 20, taken along the line 21-21 thereof, and looking'in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 20, taken along the line 22-22 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 22, taken along the line 23-23 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows. 

1. In a continuous motion container-fabricating machine for receiving, treating and discharging a coated container, the combination comprising: a. support means; b. a rotary turret operatively mounted on said support means and being provided with a plurality of working stations at each of which is operatively mounted a container carrier means; c. heating means operatively mounted on said machine for heating the bottom end closures of a coated container on a container carrier means; d. forming means carried on said support means for forming the bottom end closure panels of a container; e. sealing means operatively mounted on said machine for sealing engagement with the bottom end closures of a coated container after the panels have been heated and formed; f. a stationary hot air plenum mounted on said machine; g. an annular heater head carrier means mounted on said rotary turret and being adapted to revolve over said plenum; h. a plurality of hot air heater heads carried on said heater carrier means and having one of said heads disposed at each of said working stations for coaction with the carrier means at said station; i. said heater carrier means comprising a plurality of arcuate plates which are innerconnected by expansion connection meaNs to permit expansion of the plates relative to each other during a heating operation, and said plates being adapted to convey hot air to said heater heads from said plenum; j. each of said arcuate plates is connected to said rotary turret by,
 1. a first hanger having one end fixed to said plate at a central point thereon and the other end thereof fixed on said rotary turret, and,
 2. a second hanger fixed to a first end of said plate and to said rotary turret and movably attached to the second end of a first adjacent plate; and k. a third hanger movably attached to the second end of said plate and fixed to the first end of a second adjacent plate and to said rotary turret.
 2. a second hanger fixed to a first end of said plate and to said rotary turret and movably attached to the second end of a first adjacent plate; and k. a third hanger movably attached to the second end of said plate and fixed to the first end of a second adjacent plate and to said rotary turret.
 2. a guide post on said rotary turret,
 2. In a continuous motion container-fabricating machine for receiving, treating and discharging a coated container, the combination comprising: a. support means; b. a rotary turret operatively mounted on said support means and being provided with a plurality of working stations at each of which is operatively mounted a container carrier means; c. heating means operatively mounted on said machine for heating the bottom end closures of a coated container on a container carrier means; d. forming means carried on said support means for forming the bottom end closure panels of a container; e. sealing means operatively mounted on said machine for sealing engagement with the bottom end closures of a coated container after the panels have been heated and formed; f. a stationary hot air plenum mounted on said machine; g. an annular heater head carrier means mounted on said rotary turret and being adapted to revolve over said plenum; h. a plurality of hot air heater heads carried on said heater carrier means and having one of said heads disposed at each of said working stations for coaction with the carrier means at said station; i. said heater carrier means comprising a plurality of arcuate plates which are innerconnected by expansion connection means to permit expansion of the plates relative to each other during a heating operation, and said plates being adapted to convey hot air to said heater heads from said plenum; and, j. said plenum is provided with baffles disposed along the opposite sides thereof to enclose the sides of the travel path of the heater head carrier means over the plenum.
 3. a lifter bracket slidably mounted on said guide post,
 3. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said plenum is provided with an elongated opening, over which the heater head carrier means passes, for passage of hot air from the plenum through openings in the carrier means and to the heater heads carried on the carrier means; b. said plenum being provided with at least one elongated open-faced passage on each side of said elongated opening for conveying hot air over the underside of the heater head carrier means as it passes over the hot air plenum and between said baffles and carrier means.
 4. a cam roller on said lifter bracket and operatively engaged with said cam on said support means,
 4. In a continuous motion container-fabricating machine for receiving, treating and discharging a coated container, the combination comprising: a. support means; b. a rotary turret operatively mounted on said support means and being provided with a plurality of working stations at each of which is operatively mounted a container carrier means; c. heating means operatively mounted on said machine for heating the bottom end closures of a coated container on a container carrier means; d. forming means carried on said support means for forming the bottom end closure panels of a container; e. sealing means operatively mounted on said machine for sealing engagement with the bottom end closure of a coated container after the panels have been heated and formed; f. a stationary hot air plenum mounted on said machine; g. an annular heater head carrier means mounted on said rotary turret and being adapted to revolve over said plenum; h. a plurality of hot air heater heads carried on said heater carrier means and having one of said heads disposed at each of said working stations for coaction with the carrier means at said station; i. said heater carrier means comprising a plurality of arcuate plates which are innerconnected by expansion connection means to permit expansion of the plates relative to each other during a heating operation, and said plates adapted to convey hot air to said heater heads from said plenum; and, j. each of said arcuate plates has one end fixed to said rotary turret and the other end movably connected to an adjacent plate.
 5. said container carrier means including a vertically movable shaft,
 5. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said heater heads comprises: a. a base plate adjustably mounted on said carrier means; and, b. a plurality of hot air distributor members carried on said base plate.
 6. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. at least one of said hot air distributor members is adjustably mounted on said base plate.
 6. link means innerconnecting said lifter bracket and said container carrier means shaft whereby when said lifter bracket is moved upwardly and downwardly by said cam acting on said cam roller said container carrier means shaft is moved upwardly and downwardly, and,
 7. means innerconnecting said lifter bracket and said shaft to restrict rotation of said lifter bracket.
 7. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 4, wherein: a. each of said heater heads is adjustably mounted on said carrier means.
 8. In a continuous motion container-fabricating machine for receiving, treating and discharging a coated container, the combination comprising: a. support means; b. a rotary turret operatively mounted on said support means and being provided with a plurality of working stations at each of which is operatively mounted a container carrier means; c. heating means operatively mounted on said machine for heating the bottom end closures of a coated container on a container carrier means; d. forming means carried on said support means for forming the bottom end closure panels of a container; e. sealing means operatively mounted on said machine for sealing engagement with the bottom end closures of a coated container after the panels have been heated and formed; f. a closure panel breaker means; g. a closure-panel-folding means adapted to coact simultaneously with said breaker means; h. said closure panel breaker means comprises a pair of rotatable breaker finger disposed in the path of movement of a container carrier means for operatively engaging first one set of closure panels and then secondly for operatively engaging a second oppositely disposed set of closure panels; and, i. said closure-panel-folding means comprises a pair of guide rails disposed on opposite sides of said pair of rotatable breaker fingers.
 9. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. said pair of rotatable breaker fingers are adapted to rotate on a horizontal axis and in a vertical plane substantially in alignment with the central axis of the path of movement of a container carrier means; and, b. said breaker means includes power means for rotating said breaker fingers at a predetermined angular speed to correspond with the angular speed of the rotary turret.
 10. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. said pair of guide rails comprise a pair of cooled conduits.
 11. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. said pair of guide rails are disposed with their leading ends spaced apart and their trailing ends connected together.
 12. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 11, wherein: a. the trailing ends of said guide rails are connected to provide a V-shaped plan configuration whereby when a container is moved between the guide rails, the bottom closure tuck-in panel will be engaged by one of the guide rails and folded toward a closed position, and the bottom closure tuck-out panel will be engaged by the other of the guide rails and folded toward a closed overlapping position relative to said tuck-in panel.
 13. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 12, wherein: a. the guiDe rail engaging said bottom closure tuck-in panel is disposed at a higher elevation than the guide rail engaging the tuck-out panel.
 14. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 12, wherein: a. said closure-panel-folding means includes a mandrel attached to the trailing ends of said guide rails for providing a final folding action to the container closure panels.
 15. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 14, wherein: a. said mandrel is provided with a flat extension in the direction of travel of the carrier means to assist in transferring the closed container panels to operative engagement with the sealing means.
 16. In a continuous motion container-fabricating machine for receiving, treating and discharging a coated container, the combination comprising: a. support means; b. a rotary turret operatively mounted on said support means and being provided with a plurality of working stations at each of which is operatively mounted a container carrier means; c. heating means operatively mounted on said machine for heating the bottom end closures of a coated container on a container carrier means; d. forming means carried on said support means for forming the bottom end closure panels of a container; e. sealing means operatively mounted on said machine for sealing engagement with the bottom end closures of a coated container after the panels have been heated and formed; f. a pressure arm sealing assembly including a pressure pad for sealing engagement with the closed bottom end closures of a container; g. said pressure pad being provided with a roller; and, h. a floating pressure rail means operatively mounted on said machine and engageable by said pressure pad roller for exerting a sealing pressure on the container bottom end folded panels for sealing the same.
 17. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 16, wherein said floating pressure rail means comprises: a. a pressure rail support bracket operatively mounted on said machine; and, b. a spring-biased pressure rail operatively mounted on said support bracket.
 18. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 17, wherein said pressure rail comprises: at least two rail sections; b. means hingedly connecting the adjacent ends of said two rail sections; c. a plurality of springs disposed on said support bracket and engageable with said rail sections for biasing the rail sections into engagement with the roller on the pressure pad; and, d. means for attaching said rail sections to said support bracket to permit movement of the rail sections relative to the support bracket and to limit movement of the rail sections away from the support bracket.
 19. A continuous motion container-fabricating machine as defined in claim 18, wherein: a. said support bracket is carried on a plurality of posts; b. said rotary turret is provided with a cam track on the outer periphery thereof; and, c. each of said posts has its lower end slidably mounted in a vertically disposed retainer fixed on said support means and its upper end provided with a cam roller carried on said cam track on the rotary turret.
 20. In a continuous motion container-fabricating machine for receiving, treating and discharging a coated container, the combination comprising: a. support means; b. a rotary turret operatively mounted on said support means and being provided with a plurality of working stations at each of which is operatively mounted a container carrier means; c. heating means operatively mounted on said machine for heating the bottom end closures of a coated container on a container carrier means; d. forming means carried on said support means for forming the bottom end closure panels of a container; e. sealing means operatively mounted on said machine for sealing engagement with the bottom end closures of a Coated container after the panels have been heated and formed; f. a stationary hot air plenum mounted on said machine; g. an annular heater head carrier means mounted on said rotary turret and being adapted to revolve over said plenum; h. a plurality of hot air heater heads carried on said heater carrier means and having one of said heads disposed at each of said working stations for coaction with the carrier means at said station; i. said heater carrier means comprising a plurality of arcuate plates which are innerconnected by expansion connection means to permit expansion of the plates relative to each other during a heating operation, and said plates being adapted to convey hot air to said heater heads from said plenum; j. means for reciprocating each of said container carrier means between container receiving, treating and discharging positions at predetermined intervals, and including 